Troy Handles UWA in Exhibition

Monday, November 8

Troy, Ala.

7:00 p.m.

Troy University

University of West Alabama

Senior Vernon Taylor drives against West Alabama

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

11/8/2010 9:25:28 PM | Basketball (M)

Trojans Open Season Friday at Home

By: Taylor Bryan

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TROY – The Trojan faithful got an early look at the 2010-11 Trojans on Monday night in Sartain Hall as Troy defeated West Alabama 86-76 in exhibition action.

The Trojans had a strong opening contest for a group of very inexperienced players. Troy lost all five starters from a season ago and return just three players who saw significant minutes last year.

“For us it was a good first night of basketball with the uniforms on, especially for an inexperienced basketball team,” Troy head coach Don Maestri said. “There were some bright spots and there were also some spots we need to really work on. We had a large, really enthusiastic crowd. We were very pleased with that.

“I thought we played well in spots, but also found some areas we really need to work on.”

West Alabama got off to a strong start connecting on its first six 3-point attempts and led 31-27 with 6:54 left in the first half behind eight points from Trevell Coleman.

Troy led 36-35 with just less than four minutes to go in the first half before the Tigers finally missed a 3-point attempt. The Trojans forced a turnover on UWA's next possession and Vernon Taylor converted the steal into a three-point play for a 39-35 lead.

Taylor, one of the few experienced returnres, scored 13 on the night with six rebounds and four steals.

The Trojans upped their lead to six at 46-40 on a pair of free throws by newcomer Will Weathers, but Marino Thompson picked up a lay-up for UWA to make it 46-42 at halftime.

Back-to-back lay-ups by Weathers capped a 16-7 run by the Trojans to start the second half for a 62-49 lead at the first media timeout. Weathers, a UCF transfer, finished the contest with 18 points and seven assists.

Troy went on a 16-3 run over a 4:07 stretch beginning at the 12 minute mark that widened its lead out to 80-58. Seven different Trojans scored during the stretch.

The Tigers knocked down consecutive triples to cut into Troy's lead and four straight points by Jonathan Griffin dropped the advantage to nine points, 83-74 with 1:37 left.

The late effort by UWA would not be enough as they got no closer than the nine point spread before Regis Huddleston knocked down a trey for a 86-74 lead. Thompson's lay-up with 17 seconds left created the final margin.

Griffin led the Tigers with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Ibrahim Appiah and Richard Dixon each added 14.

Huddleston paced Troy with 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc. Bernard Toombs was the fourth Trojan in double-figures with 10. He also blocked three shots.

The Trojans open the regular season at home on Friday at 7 pm against Huntingdon College.